Big Spring Master Gardener members Wolf Spendel, Michele Bradley, Ken Harrison, Mary Goldman, Jeanie Jackson, and Glenn Karuschkat assisted the UT Extension Office this spring in facilitating the Gardener's Toolshed Series held five consecutive nights during the month of March.  

They created and presented programs on Soil Testing Basics, Small Space Gardening, Garden Disease ID and Control, Culinary Herbs, Medicinal Herbs, and Growing Tomatoes. 

​During the last Big Spring Master Gardener Association held on Tuesday, February 8th at the UT Extension-Greene County Office, John Rochelle, TDA Regional Plant Inspector presented an educational topic on “Care and Concerns of Greenhouse Maintenance.”
 
Mr. Rochelle made the following points in regards to preparation of plant selection, grooming and proper care of conditions in the greenhouse to avoid insect and disease control:

• Importance of risk assessment of weed control, ventilation, temperature, soil pH, watering and establishment of log or journal of daily conditions.
• Water source was important and general plant health before planting.
• Do not overcrowd and be sure to watch the weather for increased heating of the day and proper inspection of plant response to general conditions.
• Most plant diseases can be avoided with careful and early diagnosis of diseases such as fungi, bacteria, and virus infiltration.
• Eliminating and decreasing the advent of insects is also crucial to good greenhouse management. 
• Remember to start with healthy plants and provide their basic needs of humidity, light, temperature control, air circulation and proper watering when needed.

 
The information stressed by Mr. Rochelle was greatly appreciated by the current Master Gardeners greenhouse project team.  The team is in charge of growing greenhouse plants to sell at the BSMGA “Annual Spring Plant Sale” on Mother's Day weekend, Saturday, May 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greene County Fairgrounds.  
 
Plants listed for sale include many varieties of heirloom plants of perennials, annuals, tomatoes, vegetables and herbs. Some of the heirlooms are difficult to find and include exotic and interesting varieties such as the Ghost Pepper and Mortgage Lifter Tomato. There are also over 32 varieties of herbs listed as well. 
 
Team leaders for the Annual Spring Plant Sale are Mary Goldman and Phyllis Conner. Heather Youngblood is heading up the plant health and selection team. All members of the Big Spring Master Gardeners Association are volunteering to assist with daily involvement and duties pertaining to care and feeding of the young plants.  Excitement abounds with the selection of plants!  Everyone is encouraged to arrive early for the best selection.
 
Monies collected from the sale of the plants are assigned to all community projects sponsored by BSMGA; which include The Soup Kitchen Garden, Boys and Girls Club, New Hope Cemetery and Dickson Williams Mansion, to name a few.
 
Now, that spring is fast approaching, the "Ask a Master Gardener" hot-line is open for calls at the UT Extension-Greene County office, housed in the Greene County Courthouse Annex.  Master Gardeners staff the lab at the UT Extension Office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  If anyone has a question about their greenhouse, plants, or any other gardening issue, please contact the Big Spring Master Gardeners for information at the UT Extension, Greene County Office at 423-798-1710.
 
Remember the UT Extension Office has a huge sampling of public brochures and helpful booklets to assist any gardener with all aspects of animal, bee, farming practices, and plant selections for this area, as well as a lab to assist in diagnosis of plant disease or insects and soil sampling. For more information about becoming a Master Gardener, please contact Melody Rose at the UT Extension-Greene County office at 423-798-1710 or visit our Facebook page (Big Spring Master Gardeners Association) or www.bsmga.com website.

Spring 2016 - The Gardener’s Toolshed Series - Starting SOON!

 Brought to you by UT Extension, Greene County
 
Basic Home Gardening Workshops will be offered during March and April.  All classes will be held on Tuesdays, incorporating a variety of four topics into each of the five sessions.  Learn all you need to know about site preparation, soil-testing, composting, plant and seed selection, small space gardening, cover crops, pollinators, companion plants and herbs, pest ID and control, and in-depth growth characteristics of veggies in your garden!  Each class will offer a unique “freebie” to take home with you, including seeds, reliable resources, and even a free soil test! 
Each session will be from 5:30 PM to 8:00 p.m. at the UT Extension Office, 204 North Cutler Street, Suite 105, Greeneville, TN  37745 (Downstairs in the County Courthouse Annex building.)

• Tuesday, March 8, 2016 – Gardening Basics I
  • Site Preparataion, Soil-Testing basics, Composting How-To’s, and Plant and Seed Selection
• Tuesday, March 15, 2016 – Gardening Basics II
  • Insects, Weeds, Diseases, and Organic, Conventional and Natural Control Strategies
• Tuesday, March 22, 2016 – Pest ID
  • Cole Crops, Small Space Gardening Ideas, Cover Crops, and Pollinators
• Tuesday, March 29, 2016 – Herbs
  • Companion Planting in the Garden, Medicinal and Culinary Herbs, and Creating Gifts from the  Garden
• Tuesday, April 5, 2016 – Veggie Crops
  • Tomatoes, Legumes, Cucurbits, and Root Crop Growing Strategies and Ideas

Cost is only $25.00 per session or register for all five for only $100.00! Space is limited, so register early to reserve your seat for each session! 
​
You can call the UT Extension Office (423-798-1710) OR pre-register here: http://www.bsmga.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Payment is required by Monday, February 22, 2016 for ALL sessions.
 
Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development.  University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating.  UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.